Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online Overview & FAQ
Nintendo Switch Online members can enjoy a selection of NES games with added online play as part of a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. With the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, members aged 13 and over can also use voice chat while playing compatible games.
The service includes 20 games at launch, with new games to be added regularly. For a list of available games, click here.
FAQ
How does this service work as part of Nintendo Switch Online?
Will additional classic games be added?
After launch, more classic NES games will be added on a monthly basis. For a list of available games, click here.
Can I play Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online games released before I joined Nintendo Switch Online?
Will any new features be added to these classic games?
Have new online multiplayer modes been added to the classic NES games?
If the classic NES game originally had any kind of multiplayer features, those features will work online. Additionally, voice chat is supported for all classic NES games via the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app (available to Nintendo Account users aged 13+).
By using voice chat on the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, Nintendo Switch Online members will be able to enjoy these games together online as if they were sitting next to each other on the couch.
Can these classic games be played online indefinitely?
Active Nintendo Switch Online members will have ongoing access to all classic games in the Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online collection.
Games can be played while you are offline, but you must have an active membership and regularly verify your membership by connecting to the internet.
Can I still play if I don't renew my Nintendo Switch Online membership?
Will the classic NES games with added features also be sold individually?
Will I need extra storage space to download the games?
The amount of storage space needed will be displayed in Nintendo eShop when you download the games.
The storage requirements will increase as additional games are added to the software.
If you don't have enough space available, you can delete some content on your console or purchase a microSD card to provide additional storage space. Deleted software can be redownloaded from Nintendo eShop at no additional cost. For additional assistance, click here.
Is Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online a replacement for Virtual Console? Will Virtual Console return?
There are currently no plans to bring classic games together under the Virtual Console banner as has been done on other Nintendo systems. There are a variety of ways in which classic games from Nintendo and other publishers are made available on Nintendo Switch, such as through Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo eShop or as packaged collections.
Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online provides a fun new way to experience classic NES titles, thanks to enhancements such as added online play and voice chat via a smartphone app.